New Ulm weekly review., 1887-12-21
sNonsease! IF that all I won't invite

he talked very senslbly and cleverly, and
paid formal and polite attentions to
both Miss Laura Warden and her cousin.
And when, after dinner, the party adj
journed to the drawing room, and Mr..
Derwent, after q brief chat with Mrs.
Warden, leaves the lady s side, and seats
himself on the opposite end of.the sofa
occupied by Edna. Barnard takes upa
book and studies the effect of the letters
IN an inverted position, refusing utterly
to glance in their direction.
Edna, on the contrary, finds it diff
cult to not watch Bernard She tries
in vain to confne her attention to what
Mr.. Derwent is saying, and more than
once answers absently, and hopes that
Bernard will pity her and come to the
rescue. And she finds it a g-eat relief
when at last the guest takes his depart
| ure.
ssWell," says Laura as her father es-
corts the visitor to the front door, show
do you like him?"
He's very NICE" Edna answers with
sharp glance across the room, and, :"
pointedly every agreable!"
Bernard shrugs his shoulders and
forces smile of compassion.
s'I should think, Bernard, his sister
remarks, "that you might have paid
more attention to Mr.. Derwent, consid-
ering he was our guest"
Bernard fr1shes at this.
"What could [ do with an old Methu-
selah like that?" he demanded indig-
nantly.
"Old? He's only about 49," AYERS
Laura.
-"And so fine lookingr' says Edna.
Whereupon Bernard throws down his
book, taking his hat, thinks he will step
over to the Ogilvies and ask Miss Bella
to go to church in the evening.
And Edna declares that she has q
headache, and retires to her room for a
| nap, and lies awake for o full hour,
thinking.
She likes Bernard-likes him more
and more every day; but Mr.. Derwent
is rich, and she knows by this time that
she can, if she will, be mistress of that
elegant establishment opposite. Oh, if
had never seen Bernard, how much
easier for me it would be!
In the two weeks following, Edna sees
great deal of Mr.. Derwent. The town
in summer is gay with strangers, for
| whom parties and picnics, and enter
tainments of all sorts are got up; and
at these Mr.. Derwent and ''that charm
| ing little brunette, Miss Edna Porter %
are about the most conspicuous.
Edna" says Bernard, stepping
through the French window on the pi-
azza; and taking seat on the front
steps beside his cousin, "have you
promised to go to the party with the
| patriarch?"
The term he now generally applies to
Mr.. Derwent, who in the cool of the
evening has stopped for few moments
to exchange some pleasant remarks
| with the young ladies, and has just left
them
Now Edna has been all day expecting
Bernard to offer his escort to this party,
and she feels vexed that he has not done
SO.
"H have," she says sharply, II don't
see why you should want to know about
| it,"
''It is none of my business now, GER
family. I can only leave you to your
chosen escort, and hope that you may
shave a nice time, and be benefited by
his society and conversation"
II don't see why I should not have a
nice time in Mr.. Derwent's society,""
says Edna still more sharply.
"Certainly, if it were scientific lee
ture, for instance, or a funeral, or a
murder trial; but for pleasure party
and dancing, don't you think a little
-lincongruous? 2"
| Edna gives him a severe look, and
maintains dignifed silence. Laura
comes hastily to the rescue
What will you wear?" she enquiries.
"Blue, I hope," says Bernard quickly
| and with an earnest glance at his cousin
who looks up.
why" she asks softly "Is it your
favorite color? OF do I. look better in
blue 2"
ooh, neither exactly; only''-he ap-
Pears the least bit embarrassed only
the idea occurred to me that I prefer to
see ladies dressed in blue"
Don't tell stories, Bernard, :" says his
sister reprovingly. you know perfect
/ ly we'll that you want Edna to wear blue
because Mr.. Derwent remarked just
now that he admired white. You've
been evesdropping at the window"
Bernard scrowls at his irrepressible
sister, and Edna colors.
ssOf course, dear, you will wear
i white 2" Laura continues coaxingly
Mr.. DerWent will expectit, you know >
& Indeed, I don't see what right he
/ has to expect it, Edna answers with
sudden asperity.
And Bernard s contracted brow clears
! ! again. He looks gratefully and almost
tenderly down at the still blushing face
beside him. But the girl plays with
her fan. and will not look up.
On the evening of the party, IN he
own room, Edna spreads out twt
dresses side by side, and surveys then
long and medtatively.
She twice takes up the white robe
but hesitates; and then she glances a
Bernard portrait which hangs besid,
4 Laura's over the little writing desk il